Sleep System Automatic Pressure Adaptation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional sleep systems often require manual adjustment of medium levels in chambers to adapt to different body contours and weights, which is inconvenient, especially for shared use or changes in user stature.

Innovation Solution

A sleep system with a filling device connected to a control unit that regulates pressure in chambers using an electrically driven compressor and valve, integrated with a pressure detection unit to maintain predetermined pressures, allowing for automatic adaptation to individual body contours and weights.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If manual adjustment of medium levels in chambers is used to adapt to different body contours and weights, then adaptability to individual users is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates due to the inconvenience of manual adjustment

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadaptability to individual body contours and weightsVSAvoidconvenience of manual adjustment
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The control unit automatically detects the user's body contour and weight through pressure sensors and independently adjusts the medium levels in the chambers without requiring manual intervention. The system serves itself by using the pressure detection data to autonomously optimize the support characteristics for each user.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The pressure detection unit continuously monitors the pressures in the chambers and provides feedback to the control unit, which then adjusts the medium levels accordingly. This closed-loop feedback system ensures that the sleep system automatically adapts to the user's body characteristics and maintains optimal support conditions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Adaptability or versatility

If manual adjustment is required for changes in user stature, then adaptability to different users is improved, but loss of time increases due to repeated adjustment needs

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveaccommodation of different usersVSAvoidtime for adjustment
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary detection of the user's body characteristics upon each use and automatically pre-adjusts the chamber pressures before the user settles into the sleep position. This eliminates the need for time-consuming manual adjustments when users change or when body characteristics vary.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The control unit independently handles all adjustment operations based on pressure detection data, freeing the user from any adjustment tasks. The system automatically adapts to different users and changing body statures without requiring user intervention or time investment.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Ease of operation

If pressure detection unit and automatic control system are integrated, then ease of operation is improved by eliminating manual adjustment, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveautomatic adaptation without manual adjustmentVSAvoidcomplexity of control system
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The control unit serves multiple functions: it controls the filling device, monitors pressure levels, detects user body characteristics, and automatically adjusts chamber pressures. By consolidating these diverse functions into a single multi-functional control unit, the patent manages complexity while achieving automatic operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The pressure detection unit and control system are integrated into a unified automatic control mechanism that combines sensing, processing, and actuation functions. This merging of components streamlines the system architecture and reduces operational complexity despite the advanced automation capabilities.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

4Force

If chambers are filled with medium for support, then support force is improved, but reliability deteriorates due to potential air leaks and medium loss

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesupport forceVSAvoidconsistency of pressure
Core Design Contradiction:
ForceVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The pressure detection unit continuously monitors the pressures in the chambers and provides real-time feedback to the control unit. When pressure deviations occur due to leaks or medium loss, the system automatically detects and corrects these deviations by adjusting the medium levels, thereby maintaining consistent support force and reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The automatic control system proactively monitors and maintains optimal pressure levels in the chambers, compensating for potential leaks or medium loss before they significantly impact support reliability. This continuous monitoring and adjustment ensures consistent performance despite potential reliability issues.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

Enables optimal medium filling in chambers without manual adjustment, accommodating different users and detecting air leaks, ensuring consistent support and comfort regardless of user changes.

Implementation Method 1

the filling device comprises an electrically driven compressor and an electrically actuated compressed air valve, which are configured to supply ambient air to the chambers

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCompression: Compression

Implementation Method 2

a pressure detection unit for detecting pressures in the chambers of the support elements is integrated

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPressure detection:

Data Source

PatentEP4176772B1Sleep system
Publication Date: 2025.01.22 ERGOVITALS GMBH
  • EP4176772B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4176772B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4176772B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to a sleep system with an elastic core (1) and a device (2) comprising a plurality of slats (4), wherein the device (2) is designed with at least two support elements (8) which exert support forces on the slats (4), and wherein the support elements (8) have chambers which can be filled with a medium via at least one connection (9) for individual and always variable adaptation of the slats (4) to the body contour via the support forces, and wherein a pressure sensing unit (12) for detecting pressures in the chambers of the support elements (8) is integrated. According to the invention, a filling device (14) for filling the chambers with the medium is connected to the at least one connection (9), and a control unit (15) for controlling the filling device (14) is provided.